Self-standing container for pre-soaking grilling plank

Abstract

A self-standing container for holding and pre-soaking a cooking plank in a soaking liquid includes flexible walls forming a bag-like container with a chamber to receive the plank and the liquid. The container includes a deployable standing structure to enable the container to be placed in an upright position to conserve counter space. The container with a plank and liquid may be packaged for retail sale and later reuse.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A method of making pre-soaked wooden planks for operatively supporting and flavoring a food during cooking, the method comprising:
 a) preparing a plank;   b) prior to sale of the plank, placing the plank in a fluid comprising water such that the plank absorbs at least a portion of the fluid;   c) placing the plank into a liquid impermeable bag;   d) sealing the bag; and thereafter:   e) selling the bag with the plank and fluid sealed therein to a consumer, such that the consumer operably utilizes the plank by removing the plank from the bag with fluid in the plank and places the plank between a cooking fire and a food to be cooked by the fire.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  including the step of:
 a) including additional fluid in the bag beyond any amount of the fluid already absorbed by the plank to provide for additional absorption of the fluid by the plank while in the bag. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  including the step of:
 a) adding a flavoring to the fluid in addition to the water. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  including the step of:
 a) preparing the bag prior to placement of the plank in the bag to be waterproof such that during storage when sealed no water evaporates from the bag.